Examples of Chemistry in Everyday Life

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Examples of Chemistry in Everyday Life

Before we share examples of chemistry in everyday life, let us ask you this, have you ever noticed that different vegetables take a set amount of time to get cooked? How by just adding baking powder to cakes and doughs, they look fluffier? Can you recall the remedy of rubbing iron over bee stings? Have you tried removing a turmeric stain from a cloth and were perplexed to see it spread instead of getting cleaned? Do you want to know the plausible explanations for such phenomena? All these processes are nothing but chemical reactions taking place in everyday life. Being one of the popular branches of Science, practical applications of this subject is far more than just ‘Chemistry Laboratories’. If you want to read more about such Chemistry in everyday life facts then here is a blog that will shed light on the same!

This Blog Includes:
  1. Importance of Chemistry in Everyday Life
  2. Examples of Chemistry in Everyday Life
    1. Discoloration of Leaves
    2. Food Digestion
    3. Common Salt
    4. Ice Floating on Water
    5. Production of Tears While Chopping Onions
    6. Sunscreen
    7. Medicines
    8. Hygiene
    9. Baking Soda
    10. Food Preservatives
    11. Emotions
    12. Coffee
    1. Questions
    2. Answers

    Importance of Chemistry in Everyday Life

    Regarded as the central science, Chemistry involves the study of how different substances change colors, shape, size, and forms when reacted with another material or a set of substances. Furthermore, the application of various Branches of Chemistry across different fields has led to many discoveries and high-end innovations which has helped mankind in one or the other way. Understanding Chemistry in everyday life is important because:

    Chemistry in Everyday Life

    It is nothing but a chemical process through which some plants make their food. The reason why leaves look green is because of the presence of a pigment called Chlorophyll and when its amount decreases, the leaves look pale yellow.

    Food Digestion

    Have you ever thought about what happens to the food we eat? How does our body digest it? Right from chewing to digestion, many chemical reactions take place. Once the food goes down to the stomach, it gets mixed with HCL (Hydrochloric Acid) which is released by the walls of the stomach. This makes it one of the most common examples of chemistry in everyday life!

    Common Salt

    For cooking any type of cuisine, salt is an essential ingredient. We can barely think of a dish without it when it comes to cooking Indian food. Scientifically known as Sodium Chloride (NaCl), it not only helps in adding flavour to the food but also acts as an excellent preservative and thus is the perfect example to determine the use of chemistry in our lives.

    Ice Floating on Water

    Whenever we pour ice into a glass full of soda or water, the ice floats. You must be wondering, how is this possible? This is so because the density of the ice is lighter than the water. This concept is explained in-depth in the class 9 Science syllabus.

    Production of Tears While Chopping Onions

    Most of us can relate to this chemistry in everyday life example and how tough at times it gets to chop an onion.

    The tears you get while cutting or peeling an onion are because of Sulphate. The sulphenic acid gets converted to propanediol Sulphur-oxide which causes irritation and triggers the production of tears.

    Sunscreen

    Sunscreen is an important cosmetic that saves us from harmful UV rays and preserves the natural complexion we have. But why do we only use sunscreen, why not the normal moisturizer? The various organic and inorganic chemicals like TiO2 present in the sunscreen block the rays and prevent them from further penetrating the deeper layers of the skin.

    Medicines

    Why is there a specific medicine for every disease? This is because, in every disease, a different biological or chemical reaction takes place. , that is why different chemicals are needed to help patients get cured.

    Hygiene

    We are taught to wash our hands before eating food & now after Covid- 19 hit us before & after doing anything we have to wash our hands. Have you ever wondered if your hands become cleaner using just a drop of handwash or soap? Soaps contain fatty acids of sodium & potassium that act as an emulsifying agent & clean your hands.

    Love to hai hi chemical locha – You must have come across this line at least once but you never knew this is true. All our emotions & feeling of love are reactions to chemicals in our body. The feeling of love releases hormones like oxytocin, vasopressin, and endorphins in our bodies.

    Coffee

    We all have fueled ourselves with a cup of coffee at work, and late-night study sessions to keep ourselves awake. How can I cup coffee and do all this? There is no magic behind it but just simple chemistry we come across every day. Coffee has a chemical called adenosine that slows the nerve cell activity when your mind signals sleep.

    Examples of Chemistry in Everyday Life

    Questions

    1. Name the artificial sweetener which is only suitable under cold conditions.
    2. What is the mixture referred to as when chloroxylenol is mixed with terpineol?
    3. What does Bithional in soaps work as?
    4. What happens to the surface tension in water when we add soap or detergent to it?
    5. What does Ibuprofen contain?
    6. Aspirin is chemically _______.
    7. Which medical procedure can arrest the growth of cancerous cells in the body?
    8. Name a local anesthetic.
    9. For which physical disorder are Tranquilisers used?
    10. What do SLV-3 rockets use?

    Answers

    1. Aspartame
    2. Antiseptic
    3. Antiseptic
    4. It lowers
    5. The racemic mixture of both R and S enantiomer
    6. Acetyl Salicylic acid (an antibiotic)
    7. Chemotherapy
    8. Mental disorders
    9. Procaine
    10. Solid propellants

    FAQs

    Do makeup products contain chemicals?

    Yes, some of the common chemicals in makeup products are benzyl alcohol, glycerine, potassium cetyl sulfate, etc.

    Why do we use chemicals in foods?

    Chemicals are used for preserving food products. It helps them in increasing shelf life and prohibits bacteria, viruses & fungus also.

    What is the name of the chemical present in salt?

    Sodium Chloride (NaCl) is present in salt.

    What is the name of the chemical present in sunscreens?

    TiO2 is present in the sunscreen lotion.

    What chemical is used in cosmetic products that soften the skin?

    Glycerine and zinc oxide is used in cosmetic products that help soften the skin.

    Examples of Chemistry in Everyday Life

    Chemistry helps humans to understand the formation of life and its adaptations. Chemistry helps in living better and more sustainable lives. For example, it reveals how illnesses begin and how they can be prevented.

    Thus, we hope that this blog on chemistry in everyday life has equipped you with some interesting knowledge about the field. Want to start a career in this field? Confused about the courses? Don’t worry! Reach out to our experts at Leverage Edu where the counsellors will assist you in selecting a course that matches your interest!